FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE RSC's PRODUCTION OF THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Issued: 21 May 2018
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Fiona Laird
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Saturday 4 August – Saturday 22 September 2018
Press night: Tuesday 14 August 2018, 7pm
Barbican, Friday 7 December 2018 – Saturday 5 January 2019
Full casting is announced for The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Fiona Laird who will also compose the music, and designed by Lez Brotherston.
Previews begin in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon on the 4 August 2018, with the ‘Live from Stratford-upon-Avon’ cinema broadcast on the 12 September 2018.
The Merry Wives of Windsor will then transfer to London’s Barbican Theatre along with Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.
Down on his luck in the suburbs, John Falstaff plans to hustle his way to a comfortable retirement by seducing the wives of two wealthy men. Unknown to him, it’s the women of Windsor who really pull the strings, orchestrating Falstaff’s comeuppance amidst a theatrical smorgasbord of petty rivalries, jealousies and over-inflated egos. For a fat Englishman, a Welshman and a Frenchman, the only way is Windsor...
As previously announced RSC Associate Artist David Troughton returns to the Company as Sir John Falstaff, following his recent title role in Titus Andronicus and Gloucester in King Lear.
Joining him as the ‘Merry Wives’ are Beth Cordingly as Mistress Ford, who plays Escalus in this season’s production of Romeo and Juliet, having previously been part of the RSC Swan season in 2015. Playing Mistress Page is Rebecca Lacey, best known for TV roles including Irene Stuart in Monarch of the Glen and as Dr. George Woodman in Casualty. Her theatre credits include Broken Glass (Watford Palace Theatre) and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National Theatre/West End).
The full cast includes: David Acton (Sir Hugh Evans); Afolabi Alli (Pistol); Stevie Basaula (company); Ishia Bennison (Mistress Quickly); Katy Brittain (The Hostess of the Garter); Beth Cordingly (Mistress Ford); Jonathan Cullen (Dr Caius); Paul Dodds (George Page); Josh Finan (Nym); Karen Fishwick (Anne Page); Charlotte Josephine (Bardolph); Rebecca Lacey (Mistress Page); Vince Leigh (Frank Ford); John Macaulay (Simple); Luke Newberry (Fenton); Tom Padley (Slender); Sakuntala Ramanee (company); Tim Samuels (Shallow); Nima Taleghani (company) and David Troughton (Sir John Falstaff).
The Merry Wives of Windsor is directed by Fiona Laird and designed by Lez Brotherston with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Gregory Clarke. Music is by Fiona Laird.
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact philippa.harland@rsc.org.uk 0207 8450512
For press tickets please contact dean.asker@rsc.org.uk 01789 412660
To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION
Live from Stratford-upon-Avon is generously supported by SIDNEY E. FRANK FOUNDATION
BP £5 tickets and BP Shakespeare Pass for 16-25s
The BP £5 tickets and BP Shakespeare Pass for 16 – 25 year olds gives access to £5 tickets for all RSC productions whether we are performing in Stratford-upon-Avon, London or on tour. The pass enables 16-25 year olds to see five shows in Stratford-upon-Avon for £20 – the cheapest way to enjoy shows at the RSC. Tickets can be booked in advance on the phone, online or in person with some available for sale on the day of the performance. The scheme is supported by Project Partner, BP.
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